The song "Misty Mountains" is a haunting and memorable piece from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," the first installment in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit." Here are some interesting facts about this soundtrack:
Origin in the Book: "Misty Mountains" is inspired by a song in J.R.R. Tolkien's original novel "The Hobbit." In the book, it is sung by Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves as they travel through the Misty Mountains.
Lyrics Adaptation: The lyrics for the song in the film were adapted from Tolkien's original text by the film's composer, Howard Shore, along with Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, who co-wrote the screenplay. The song was designed to capture the spirit of Tolkien's world.
Multiple Versions: There are several versions of the "Misty Mountains" song in the film. The most famous and prominent version is the one sung by Thorin Oakenshield (played by Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves as they prepare to journey through the Misty Mountains.
Character Voices: The actors themselves sang their parts in the song. Richard Armitage, who played Thorin, and the other dwarf actors underwent singing lessons to perform the song in character.
Real Location: The film's crew went to great lengths to find an appropriate location to film the scene where the dwarves sing "Misty Mountains." They settled on the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, which served as the backdrop for much of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" film series.
Extended Version: An extended version of the song, titled "Misty Mountains Cold," was released on the film's official soundtrack. This version includes additional verses and is longer than the one heard in the film.
Awards: "Misty Mountains" received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Although it didn't win, it remains one of the most iconic songs from the film trilogy.
Cultural Impact: The song has become a fan favorite and is often associated with Tolkien's Middle-earth. Many fans of the films and books have covered and performed their versions of "Misty Mountains" on platforms like YouTube.
Musical Themes: Howard Shore, the composer, incorporated thematic elements from "Misty Mountains" into the film's larger musical score, creating a sense of continuity and connection throughout the trilogy.
Legacy: "Misty Mountains" is one of the most recognizable and enduring pieces of music from Peter Jackson's Middle-earth films, and it has contributed to the overall cultural impact and popularity of Tolkien's works.
The "Misty Mountains" song is a beautiful and integral part of "The Hobbit" film series, evoking the sense of adventure and danger that is prevalent in the story.